Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Int J Antimicrob Agents 2022 Jun 24:106629. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Amsterdam UMC, Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk of pneumococcal infections compared with the general population. The objective of this study was to investigate the immunogenicity of the combined pneumococcal vaccination schedule in PLWH.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, adult PLWH on antiretroviral therapy and HIV negative controls received the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) at baseline followed by the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) at month 2. Read More

Vaccine X 2022 Aug 11;11:100180. Epub 2022 Jun 11.

Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, USA.

Background: Studies have shown that adolescent vaccination rates with human papillomavirus (HPV) and quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccines are lower in rural areas of the U.S. than in urban areas. Read More

Lancet Infect Dis 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology/Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Agogo, Asante Akyem, Ghana.

Background: Controlled infection studies in malaria-naive adults suggest increased vaccine efficacy for fractional-dose versus full-dose regimens of RTS,S/AS01. We report first results of an ongoing trial assessing different fractional-dose regimens in children, in natural exposure settings.

Methods: This open-label, phase 2b, randomised controlled trial is conducted at the Malaria Research Center, Agogo, Ashanti Region (Ghana), and the Kenya Medical Research Institute and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site in Siaya County (Kenya). Read More

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2022 Jun 25. Epub 2022 Jun 25.

Department of Emergency Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El Solh, P.O.Box-11-0236, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon.

Purpose: To describe injuries and outcomes of casualties of Beirut Port Blast treated at a large tertiary care center in Beirut, Lebanon.

Methods: A retrospective observational study assessing the spectrum of injuries, treatment, and medical outcome among casualties of the Beirut Port Blast, immediately after the blast and up to 1 week from the blast to the emergency department of the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC).

Results: A total of 359 patients were included. Read More

Rev Bras Med Vet 2022 23;44:e005321. Epub 2022 Mar 23.

Veterinarian, DSc. Centro Universitário Uninassau. Natal, RN. Brazil.

Tetanus is a distressing and often fatal disease caused by exotoxins released by the bacterium . is a commensal of the gastrointestinal tract of humans and domestic animals, and its spores are highly resistant to environmental changes, acid, and alkali and may persist in the soil for many years. The disease is characterized by generalized muscular rigidity and spasms, hyperesthesia, convulsions, respiratory arrest, and death. Read More

EClinicalMedicine 2022 Jul 27;49:101467. Epub 2022 May 27.

Bandim Health Project, Indepth Network, Apartado 861, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.

Background: Early 2-dose measles vaccine (MV) at 4 and 9 months of age vs. the WHO strategy of MV at 9 months of age reduced all-cause child mortality in a previous trial. We aimed to test two hypotheses: 1) a 2-dose strategy reduces child mortality between 4 and 60 months of age by 30%; 2) receiving early MV at 4 months in the presence versus absence of maternal measles antibodies (MatAb) reduces child mortality by 35%. Read More

Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Jun 6;10(6). Epub 2022 Jun 6.

Laboratoire des Microorganismes et Biomolécules Actives (LR03ES03), Faculté des Sciences de Tunis (FST), Université Tunis El Manar, Campus Universitaire, Tunis 2092, Tunisia.

In Algeria, vaccination against pertussis is carried out using the whole-cell pertussis vaccine combined with the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTwp). The quality control of vaccines locally produced or imported is carried out before the batch release. The aim of our work was to evaluate the potency of pertussis vaccines. Read More

Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022 Jun 17;15(6). Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Small Molecules for Biological Targets Team, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, CNRS 5286, INSERM 1052, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Univ Lyon, 69373 Lyon, France.

Tetanus toxoid (TTd) plays an important role in the pharmaceutical world, especially in vaccines. The toxoid is obtained after formaldehyde treatment of the tetanus toxin. In parallel, current emphasis in the drug discovery field is put on producing well-defined and safer drugs, explaining the interest in finding new alternative proteins. Read More

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 6446-14155, Tehran, Iran.

Purpose: Several approaches have so far been employed to establish anti-tumor immunity by targeting HER2 protein. Active immunization with recombinant HER2 subdomains has previously been demonstrated to induce potent immune response and tumor growth inhibition. In the present study, we investigated the immunogenicity and tumor inhibitory effect of a fusion protein consisting of human HER2 extracellular subdomain (ECD-DI + II) together with T-helper cell epitopes of Tetanus toxin (p2 and p30). Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2022 May 24;14(6). Epub 2022 May 24.

Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.

and are Gram-positive, spore-forming, and anaerobic bacteria that produce the most potent neurotoxins, botulinum toxin (BoNT) and tetanus toxin (TeNT), responsible for flaccid and spastic paralysis, respectively. The main habitat of these toxigenic bacteria is the environment (soil, sediments, cadavers, decayed plants, intestinal content of healthy carrier animals). can grow and produce BoNT in food, leading to food-borne botulism, and in some circumstances, can colonize the intestinal tract and induce infant botulism or adult intestinal toxemia botulism. Read More

BMC Health Serv Res 2022 Jun 22;22(1):812. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Busitema University/ Mbale Regional Referral and Teaching Hospital, Mbale, Uganda.

Background: Over the last decade, progress in reducing maternal mortality in Rwanda has been slow, from 210 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015 to 203 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. Access to quality antenatal care (ANC) can substantially reduce maternal and newborn mortality. Several studies have investigated factors that influence the use of ANC, but information on its quality is limited. Read More

Med Clin (Barc) 2022 Jun 17. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Internal Medicine Department, Ribera Povisa Hospital, Vigo, Spain.

Background: Tetanus disease is caused by Clostridium tetani, an anaerobe bacteria found in dust and soil. Once reached human body through damaged tissues, C. tetani releases several neurotoxins which block the inhibitory function, leading to an increased muscle tone, ultimately causing respiratory failure. Read More

Pediatr Res 2022 Jun 18. Epub 2022 Jun 18.

Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.

Background: The establishment of the gut microbiome plays a key symbiotic role in the developing immune system; however, its influence on vaccine response is yet uncertain. We prospectively investigated the composition and diversity of the early-life gut microbiome in relation to infant antibody response to two routinely administered vaccines.

Methods: Eighty-three infants enrolled in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study were included in the analysis. Read More

Vaccine 2022 Jun 15. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of prenatal tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination. This cohort study was conducted among pregnant members at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC). The exposed cohort consisted of women who received Tdap vaccine on or after the 27th week of pregnancy between January 2018 and January 2019. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022 Jun 17:1-6. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Introduction: Health care workers (HCWs) are disproportionately exposed to infectious diseases and play a role in nosocomial transmission, making them a key demographic for vaccination. HCW vaccination rates are not optimal in many countries; hence, compulsory vaccination policies have been implemented in some countries. Although these policies are effective and necessary under certain conditions, resolving HCWs' hesitancies and misconceptions about vaccines is crucial. Read More

J Clin Psychiatry 2022 Jun 13;83(4). Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Institute of Epidemiology & Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.

To examine the relationship between maternal postnatal depression and completion of infant vaccinations.

We conducted a cohort study using data from The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a large UK primary care electronic health record database. We identified 196,329 mother-infant pairs in which the infant was born between 2006 and 2015. Read More

P R Health Sci J 2022 Jun;41(2):68-73

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR.

Objective: Explore influenza and Tdap immunization knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Hispanics patients attending prenatal care in a tertiary hospital in Puerto Rico as well as barriers encountered by patients regarding vaccination practices during pregnancy.

Methods: Descriptive study conducted at the University District Hospital prenatal care clinics in the Medical Sciences Campus of Puerto Rico from September 2016 to June 2017.

Results: A total of 189 pregnant women were recruited. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2022 Jun 15:1-8. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.

Purpose: To objectively evaluate the methodological quality and clinical heterogeneity robustness of the published clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on the management of trauma in pregnancy.

Materials And Methods: Pubmed, Google Scholar, UpToDate, and Scopus Database were searched. The risk of bias and quality assessment of the included CPGs were performed using "The Appraisal Of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II)" tool. Read More

J Pharm Sci 2022 Jun 11. Epub 2022 Jun 11.

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Previously, we reported the fundamental pharmacological characteristics of a novel Igβ and Fc gamma receptor IIB cross-linking antibody, ASP2713, as a new treatment option for systemic lupus erythematosus. The aims of the present study were to investigate ASP2713's characteristics with regard to pharmacological effect, pharmacokinetics (PK), and receptor occupancy, and to predict its human PK and clinically effective dose. The relationship between the concentration and receptor occupancy of ASP2713 for Igβ of B cell receptors was examined using whole blood B cells. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022 Jun 13;22(1):477. Epub 2022 Jun 13.

CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Qc, Canada.

Background: In Canada, vaccination against pertussis (Tdap) during pregnancy has been recommended since 2018, with suboptimal uptake. We aimed to assess the determinants of intention and uptake of Tdap vaccine among pregnant women in Quebec.

Methods: Participants (< 21 weeks of pregnancy) were recruited in four Quebec regions. Read More

Vaccine 2022 Jul 6;40(31):4220-4230. Epub 2022 Jun 6.

Finlay Vaccine Institute, 21st Ave. N° 19810 between 198 and 200 Streets, Atabey, Playa, Havana, Cuba. Electronic address:

Background: SOBERANA 02 is a COVID-19 vaccine based on SARS-CoV-2 recombinant RBD conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT). SOBERANA Plus antigen is dimeric-RBD. Here we report safety and immunogenicity from phase I and IIa clinical trials using two-doses of SOBERANA 02 and three-doses (homologous) or heterologous (with SOBERANA Plus) protocols. Read More

Allergy 2022 Jun 12. Epub 2022 Jun 12.

Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Background: Antibody-based tests are available for measuring SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses but fast T cell assays remain scarce. Robust T cell-based tests are needed to differentiate specific cellular immune responses after infection from those after vaccination.

Materials And Methods: One hundred seventeen individuals (COVID-19 convalescent patients: n=40; SARS-CoV-2 vaccinees: n=41; healthy controls: n=36) were evaluated for SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular immune responses (proliferation, Th1, Th2, Th17, and inflammatory cytokines, activation-induced marker (AIM) expression) by incubating purified peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or whole blood (WB) with SARS-CoV-2 peptides (S, N, or M), vaccine antigens (tetanus toxoid, tick borne encephalitis virus) or polyclonal stimuli (Staphylococcal superantigen, phytohemagglutinin). Read More

J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022 Sep 4;218:114875. Epub 2022 Jun 4.

Immunology and Allergology Department, I.I. Mechnikov Research Institute for Vaccines and Sera, Moscow 105064 Russia.

Amphotericin B (ATB) is a broad spectrum antibiotic used to combat severe systemic fungal and protozoan infections. Existing and new ATB formulations designed to address the problem of poor solubility and side effects of ATB require pharmacokinetic (PK) studies and dosing controls, especially in critically ill patients. Given that, the present study was devoted to development of competitive immunoassay of ATB and its testing on real human serum samples. Read More

J Diabetes Metab Disord 2022 Jun 30;21(1):1023-1027. Epub 2022 Jan 30.

Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcer is a public health concern around the world. These wounds are prone to a variety of infections including that may lead to tetanus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunity status as a result of tetanus vaccination and other preventive measures in these patients. Read More

Prev Med Rep 2022 Jun 5;27:101817. Epub 2022 May 5.

University of Montana, Center for Population Health Research, Missoula, MT, United States.

Comprehensive estimates of vaccination coverage and timeliness of vaccine receipt among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children in the United States are lacking. This study's objectives were to quantify vaccination coverage and timeliness, as well as the proportion of children with specific undervaccination patterns, among AI/AN and non-Hispanic White (NHW) children ages 0-24 months in Montana, a large and primarily rural U.S. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2022 Jun 1. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Background: Acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines replaced whole cell pertussis (wP) vaccines for the U.S. childhood primary series in 1997. Read More

J Bacteriol 2022 Jun 31;204(6):e0007922. Epub 2022 May 31.

National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Healthgrid.94365.3d, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

The current classification of the phylum (new name, ) features eight distinct classes, six of which include known spore-forming bacteria. In Bacillus subtilis, sporulation involves up to 500 genes, many of which do not have orthologs in other bacilli and/or clostridia. Previous studies identified about 60 sporulation genes of B. Read More

Lancet Public Health 2022 May 27. Epub 2022 May 27.

Migrant Health Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, UK. Electronic address:

Background: WHO's new Immunization Agenda 2030 places a focus on ensuring migrants and other marginalised groups are offered catch-up vaccinations across the life-course. Yet, it is not known to what extent specific groups, such as refugees, are immunised according to host country schedules, and the implications for policy and practice. We aimed to assess the immunisation coverage of UK-bound refugees undergoing International Organization for Migration (IOM) health assessments through UK resettlement schemes, and calculate risk factors for under-immunisation. Read More

Vaccines (Basel) 2022 May 10;10(5). Epub 2022 May 10.

Department of Infection Immunology, Research Center Borstel, Parkallee 22, 23845 Borstel, Germany.

Many bacterial infections are major health problems worldwide, and treatment of many of these infectious diseases is becoming increasingly difficult due to the development of antibiotic resistance, which is a major threat. Prophylactic vaccines against these bacterial pathogens are urgently needed. This is also true for bacterial infections that are still neglected, even though they affect a large part of the world's population, especially under poor hygienic conditions. Read More

Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Apr 29;10(5). Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System database has been used to report adverse events following several vaccines. We studied the patient population predisposed to such reactions and how these reactions differ with respect to the vaccine type. We searched the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus up to 9 July 2021 for any study describing cardiac adverse events attributed to the vaccination. Read More